UN International Days

United Nations observances are used to contribute to the achievement of the purposes of the UN Charter and promote awareness of and action upon, important political, social, cultural, humanitarian or human rights issues. They provide a useful means for the promotion of international and national action and stimulate interest in United Nations activities and programmes. For international years and decades the UN Secretary General takes action to establish preparatory process, evaluation and follow-up procedures.

The majority of observances have been established by the UN General Assembly and some have been designated by UN specialized agencies.

Bolivia Set to Pass Historic 'Law of Mother Earth' Which Will Grant Nature Equal Rights to Humans Last Updated on 2011-05-26 00:00:00
With the cooperation of politicians and grassroots organizations, Bolivia is set to pass the Law of Mother Earth which will grant nature the same rights and protections as humans. The piece of legislation, called la Ley de Derechos de la Madre Tierra, is intended to encourage a radical shift in conservation attitudes and actions, to enforce new control measures on industry, and to reduce environmental destruction.
The law redefines natural resources as blessings and confers the same rights to nature as to human beings, including: the right to life and to exist; the right to continue vital cycles and processes free from human alteration; the right to pure water and clean air; the right to balance; the right not to be polluted; and the right to not have cellular structure modified or genetically altered. Perhaps the most controversial point is the right "to not be... More »

Mother Earth Day PosterLast Updated on 2011-04-19 13:48:07International Mother Earth Day Poster contributed by Rusudan Grigolia, Friends of the United Nations.
To Downolad the full size poster CLICK HERE
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Earth Day Message: Then & NowLast Updated on 2011-04-19 00:00:00In 1970 Dave was a student at California Lutheran University and held the position of Religious Activities Commissioner in the Student Government.
With the support of Rev. Gerry Swanson, the College Chaplain, and the assistance of two other students, Will Hall and Susie Struck, Dave reallocated his budget to celebrate the first Earth Day.
So many good ideas soon surfaced that the event quickly became a week-long celebration and included, not only the college community, but the entire city of Thousand Oaks, California.
The week long program included:
• Clifford Humphrey, founder of Ecology Action and dubbed "Grandfather of the Recycling Movement". His photo pushing a globe in a baby buggy made the cover of New York Times magazine that first Earth Day 1970.
• Beach clean-up and party
• Tree planting at the campus chapel and service for the... More »

U.N. Prepares to Debate Whether ‘Mother Earth’ Deserves Human Rights Status Last Updated on 2011-04-19 00:00:00United Nations diplomats on Wednesday will set aside pressing issues of international peace and security to devote an entire day debating the rights of “Mother Earth.”
A bloc of mostly socialist governments lead by Bolivia have put the issue on the General Assembly agenda to discuss the creation of a U.N. treaty that would grant the same rights found in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to Mother Nature.
Treaty supporters want the establishment of legal systems to maintain balance between human rights and what they perceive as the inalienable rights of other members of the Earth community — plants, animals, and terrain.
Communities and environmental activists would be given more legal power to monitor and control industries and development to ensure harmony between humans and nature. Though the United States and other Western... More »

Landmark Texts on Protecting Coral Reefs, Mitigating Ill Effects of Chemical Munitions Dumped at SeaLast Updated on 2010-12-21 00:00:00General Assembly Adopts Landmark Texts on Protecting Coral Reefs, Mitigating Ill Effects of Chemical Munitions Dumped at Sea
In Addition to Passing 40 Drafts Recommended By Second Committee, Acts on Two Generated Directly by Plenary
December 21, 2010 (MMD Newswire) -- The General Assembly today adopted landmark draft resolutions setting forth strategies to protect coral reefs and mitigate the ill effects of chemical munitions dumped at sea, while declaring international years and decades for the promotion of sustainable energy, water cooperation and biodiversity.
Acting on the recommendation of its Second Committee (Economic and Financial), the Assembly took action on 17 draft resolutions on sustainable development out of a total 40 development-related texts, in addition to three draft decisions. It also adopted two plenary-generated drafts.
The texts relating to sustainable... More »

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